How do we overcome the low turnout that is killing our democracy?

By Julian Ware-Lane

Before 1997, voter turnout was often above 75%. But in the last two General Elections, that was down to 59% and 61% respectively and at local and European elections it is even lower – in the case of council elections it can be as low as 15%.

No one knows what it will be on June 4th, but two elections on one day may make achieving 40% realistic, though still pitiably small. As for the next General Election, suggestions that it could be a close run thing will probably raise turnout, but I’m really not optimistic that we’ll reach former levels of participation.

Turnout is important for a number of reasons. Legitimacy is in part derived from the numbers of voters prepared to support one’s argument. Voting is for many the beginning of engagement in the political process. It is also an integral element of what makes and binds a community

As I point out to many whom I canvass, voting is free and impacts significantly on how their hard-earned money is spent. So we must try and engage people in this, their democratic process.

We can argue about the scramble for the middle ground turning voters off, and that our present flawed electoral system means that for many the vote does not really matter. But we must also ask whether we are making voting as accessible as it could be.

One simple change that I believe would improve turnout would be to move to weekend voting, and I would make it all weekend. I would offset the costs of having polling stations open for two days by reducing their number. Voting over two days could also mean a rethink over the opening hours. I am not sure why Thursdays have become the norm, but in ever increasingly busy lives for many having to vote after a full day’s work is an inconvenience.

We should also not forget Thursdays have become a busy night out (out on the town with your mates, or marking a ballot paper – who is prepared to suggest that the latter is seen as the priority?)

I also support the idea of votes at 16. Why should our young people, those who will be affected most by political decisions over time – often school leavers already working in and participating in their communities – be excluded?

As I said, simple changes, and when it sometimes seems that our voters look for reasons not to vote more often than not, why should we add to their possible list of excuses?